Dear Harpeth Hills Family,
The writer of Hebrews addressed Christians who had grown weary, having faced persecution, social ostracism, one bad event after another, to which there must have seemed no apparent end. So, he encouraged them to hold on to their faith like in the old days.
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12)
“Not forsaking assembling together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another as you see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25)
These early Christians were dropping out, having grown weary and indifferent perhaps. Circumstances were not pleasant. These were not good times or safe times. No longer was there any enjoyment and satisfaction out of associating with these people. They were falling out of the habit of getting together.
The writer of Hebrews wasn’t making a legalistic demand when he urged them to not forsake meeting together. He knew the importance of active membership in the Body of Christ as Paul had described in Romans 12 and I Corinthians 12. So, as members of Christ’s body and of one another “…let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together…” (Hebrews 10:24).
These are unusual times, but Hebrews speaks to us today as well! But how do we stir one another to love and good works and meet together during such a time as this? A simple bit of wisdom—physical distancing is wise, a necessary way to care for one another, but social distancing is neither necessary nor healthy! In our age of communication with computers, cell phones, our “Dick Tracy” watches on our wrists, Zoom, etc., we may be physically distant, but we need to not be socially distant.
Who will you touch socially and spiritually today, tomorrow, and next week? Who have you missed? Who do you think needs your touch today? Let each of us continually reach out and touch one another. Let us exhort, encourage, and comfort one another with the love of the Lord until we can safely return to meeting together.
Your Shepherds